by Honey Jans
Sarah got to her knees and scrambled through the brush. Rafe gave a yell and stood up, then feinted to the right as a shot rang out. She did as she was told and kept going knowing delaying would just put Rafe in more danger. She got to her feet after reaching the safety of the tree line and turned around. Rafe scrambled out of the underbrush moments later.
"Thank God. I was afraid you were hit.” Sarah fell into his arms.
Rafe hugged her tight. “I'm fine, but I'm glad you were worried about me.” He pulled back saying, “We'd better get a move on before he comes looking for us."
Rafe grabbed Sarah's hand and they ran around the trees until they got to Umbriago. He put his hands on her waist and deposited her onto the saddle. Then he mounted behind her.
"What about Bay Rum?” Sarah asked.
"Don't worry about him. He's following Zeke.” Rafe gave a twitch of the reins. “Let's get out of here."
Sarah snuggled against Rafe's warmth and tried to ignore the burning pain in her arm. She must have scraped it against the rocks. She groaned when Rafe pulled her tight and the pain intensified.
Rafe rumbled, “What's wrong?” He brought his hand up. It was covered with blood. “You've been hit.” He pulled back her sleeve. “Sit up, sweetheart. I have to take my shirt off. We've got to put pressure on the wound to stop it from bleeding."
Sarah tensed as she pulled away from Rafe, and then relaxed back against his warm chest after he shrugged out of his shirt. He pressed the folded cloth against her arm. The renewed pain made her grit her teeth, but she forced herself to stay calm. She needed to be strong for both of them.
"I'm sorry it hurts, sweetheart,” Rafe murmured in her ear.
Sarah was feeling woozy from the motion of the horse and her sleepless night. She closed her eyes. “It doesn't hurt that bad. Do you think we'll be okay?"
Rafe hurried the pace, keeping under the cover of trees. “Don't worry, baby, I won't let anything else hurt you."
Sarah smiled softly and nestled her cheek against his bare chest. She placed a soft kiss on his tanned skin. “It seems funny to be called baby again."
Rafe chuckled. “Should I be jealous? Who else used to call you baby?"
Sarah sighed, recalling faint, sweet, memories. “My Granny Blake, but that was in a different life."
"What do you mean, a different life?"
Sarah winced at the memory. “After my parents were killed in a plane crash, I went to live with Grandfather Maxwell. I never saw Granny again."
"Why not?” Rafe muttered.
Sarah shook her head. “She died. When I asked about her, Grandfather told me she was dead. Even he as bad as he is, he wouldn't lie about something like that."
"What do you mean bad?"
Sarah sighed. “He wasn't a very nice man. You had dealings with him when you were trying to locate me. You saw how he was."
"He was about as cold as an iceberg,” Rafe said, remembering the man's cool blue eyes and obstinate chin. “I went to the house and he threatened to get the law on me if I didn't stop trying to contact you."
Sarah smiled. “That sounds like Grandfather all right. By the way, I really am sorry about putting you through the whole mess back then. I thought that you only married me for my connections."
"What?"
Rafe's shocked tone made her cringe. “It seemed like a logical conclusion at the time. Of course now I know it was a lot of bull intended to scare me off."
Rafe frowned. “What do you mean intended to scare you off?"
"Someone left an anonymous note on our bed. I read that and put together with the blueprint I found and then hearing you tell Zeke you were ready to start the conversion. Well, it seemed like a pretty airtight case."
"How could you believe it?” He gazed at her intently.
"I could never win Grandfather's love and approval, there were always strings attached. It seemed normal to have strings attached to yours, too.” Seeing his angry expression she murmured, “I'm sorry."
"Don't fret about it. You just need to save your strength and hang in there for me."
Sarah was left to wonder at his meaning. Could he want her to stay forever?
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Chapter Seven
Rafe held Sarah tight as they rode through the brush. She let her head rest on his shoulder. Rafe found himself praying she would be okay. Who could have left the note for her?
He could hardly believe it was one of his men. Most of them were like family. Tab was like an older brother. They'd grown up together on the Double-H. Zeke was like a second father to him. The newer hands didn't have much access to the house. Could one of them be working for Blackthorn? It hurt to think there might be a traitor in his mist but he knew he'd have to be on his guard against future incidents.
More importantly, how could Sarah believe he'd married her for her family connections? He'd make it his goal to convince her it wasn't so. “How are you doing, sweetheart?"
Sarah sighed and nestled against him. “I'm feeling better now that we're almost home. Boy, am I ever glad you came to bawl me and Zeke out. I hate to think of what might have happened otherwise."
Rafe tightened his arm around her shoulders. His hand was still clamped to her wound. From the looks of it, she was losing too much blood. He made for open land and kicked Umbriago into a gallop.
He craned his neck but didn't see any signs of being followed. Whoever was taking pot shots at them must have backed off. It wasn't hard to guess who that someone was. The cowardly bushwhack fit Blackthorn to a tee. And as soon as Sarah was taken care of, Rafe was personally going to take the bastard apart.
Sarah put her hand up to cover his. “I'll hold it, Rafe. I'm not helpless."
"Uh uh, sweetheart. I'm giving the orders around here. You just lie back and let me take care of you.” She sighed as Rafe tucked her head protectively under his chin. Sarah's revelation about her grandfather made him sick. What kind of cold-hearted man would reject the needy child Sarah must have been? It put everything her grandfather might have told her into question including the fact that her maternal grandmother was supposed to be dead. Rafe intended to do some checking to see if it was true.
He came in sight of the ranch and galloped Umbriago across the pasture. He saw Zeke standing with Bob Wilson and the sheriff. Rafe noted Zeke's relieved smile and the sheriff's questioning look as he brought Umbriago to a halt. He handed Sarah down to Zeke and slid out of the saddle, then nodded toward Wilson. “Zeke, what did you get him here for? I told you to get the law."
Zeke held Sarah out toward Rafe. “You said to get help. You didn't specify who. Besides, I figure you two have a lot of talking to do."
"Our talking is going to take place in his office Monday morning, not before.” Rafe lifted Sarah out of Zeke's arms and strode toward the truck.
Wilson followed them toward the pickup. “I came because I got a tip you might be nosing around the area where the wolves were found, Halliday."
"Looks like you had a mite of trouble out there, Rafe,” the sheriff added sympathetically.
Rafe gave Wilson a distracted scowl. He knew the man was only doing his job, but right now he was as annoying as a mosquito buzzing in his ear. “I want to get Sarah into town for some medical attention. You two got a problem with that?"
The sheriff said, “Do you want to make out a report when you're in town?"
Rafe shrugged. “There isn't much to report. We were in the clearing where the wolves were found when someone got the drop on us from the bluff. If you two hurry on up there, you might find some evidence. That is if you really want to find it. Now if you'll excuse me, I want to get Sarah to the hospital."
Sarah lifted her head off Rafe's shoulder. “I don't need any medical attention."
Rafe tucked her closer into his arms. “I say you do, and on the Double-H my word is law. Remember?” He heard her soft chuckle and said a prayer of thanks that she was going to be all right.
Wilson s
aid, “That's mighty coincidental, you three being attacked where the wolves were found."
Rafe turned to look at him. “You might say that."
Wilson gave him a direct look. “It would be a good way to divert suspicion from yourself."
Rafe took a step forward. “Why you—"
Zeke stepped between them. “Now Rafe, Bob's only doing his job."
Wilson shrugged. “In my line of work it pays to be suspicious. Of course it could also be that someone has a grudge against you. Maybe it isn't enough they get you in trouble, maybe they want to kill you."
Rafe turned back toward the truck. “Don't worry. I'm going to straighten it out myself. We all know damn well who's behind it."
The sheriff said, “You wouldn't have any rash ideas, would you, Rafe?"
Rafe flashed a cool smile his way. “Who, me?"
"Rafe, you don't have any proof Blackthorn was behind this,” the sheriff warned. “Let me and my men take care of it."
Rafe set his jaw. “When my family is threatened, I take action."
"Be reasonable, Rafe. A physical attack isn't Blackthorn's style. He'd try to run your ranch into the ground, but he wouldn't try to shoot you."
Rafe scowled at the thought, it would mean an unknown assailant was after them. At least with Blackthorn he knew what kind of a varmint he was dealing with. He put Sarah in the truck, slammed the door, and sprinted around to his side. “I'll take it under consideration, boys. But right now I've got more important things to worry about.” He gunned the engine and sped off toward town.
Sarah held her breath as the emergency room doctor examined her arm. He probed the wound gently making her wince. Sarah glanced up at Rafe who stood there grim-faced. “You can wait outside, Rafe. I don't need you to hold my hand."
"No dice. I'm sticking with you. How's she doing, Mark?” Rafe asked the doctor.
Dr. Phillips, a tall man with sandy brown hair and bright blue eyes, looked up at Rafe. “Don't worry, Rafe. Your wife's going to be okay. I'll get the nurse to clean the area and then I'll put in a few stitches. What exactly happened out there?"
Rafe's jaw tightened. “Some low down bushwhacker took some pot shots at us. Sarah got hit by one."
Mark shook his head. “Well, she's lucky he wasn't a very good shot.” He turned to Sarah. “How long since your last tetanus shot?"
Sarah winced when a nurse swabbed off the area to be stitched. “I'm not sure."
Dr. Phillips picked up a hypodermic needle. “I'm going to give you some anesthetic now. Just take a deep breath, hold still, and pretty soon you won't feel a thing."
Sarah bit her lip while the needle pricked her skin. She looked at Rafe and noted that he looked pale. Had he been hurt too? “Are you okay, Rafe?"
"I'm fine,” he said, tightening his jaw and shifting his stance.
Dr. Phillips looked over at him and chuckled. “Pal, you better sit down before you fall down."
Rafe hesitated for a moment before slumping into a chair next to the gurney.
Dr. Phillips looked up at Sarah and grinned. “It's always the husbands that are the worse.” He bent to put in the stitches then turned to Rafe. “The worst is over now, buddy. Now all I have to do is give her a booster shot and you're out of here."
Sarah waited for the shot then jumped down from the exam table. She walked over to Rafe and tugged on his hand to get him to stand up. “I told you it wasn't serious."
Rafe put his arm around her. “Not serious, my ass. The doctor said you lost a lot of blood. And you needed stitches."
Sarah glanced over at Dr. Phillips and flushed with embarrassment. You couldn't keep Rafe from speaking his mind. Evidently the doctor was one of Rafe's friends. What did he think of them?
Dr. Phillips scribbled out a prescription and ripped it off his pad. He handed it to her with a smile. “I want you to take this antibiotic as a precaution. Make sure you take it all, understand?"
Sarah smiled, apparently salty talking, high-handed cowboys were an everyday occurrence for this doctor. “Don't worry, I will."
Rafe took the prescription out of her hand. “Don't worry, Mark. I'll see that she does."
Sarah gave Rafe an exasperated glance as he escorted her out of the emergency room. The color was slowly coming back into his cheeks. Who would have thought he would nearly faint at the sight of a needle?
She sighed when she climbed into the rusty old pickup. They could be using her nice Jeep Cherokee. But no, Rafe insisted on rattling around in this contraption. It was a point of pride for him. Her exasperation dissipated as she glanced at Rafe. Bullheaded or not, she owed him her life. At least she knew she could count on him when the chips were down. If only there were some way she could repay him.
* * * *
* * * *
Sarah picked up a stack of plates to set the table for dinner. She turned to walk into the dining room when Rafe intercepted her. He frowned taking the dishes out of her hands.
"You're supposed to be resting, Sarah,” he said with determination.
"I did take a nap. I'm all rested up.” She sighed at his continuing overprotective attitude. “Rafe, you can't go wrapping me in cotton wool. What happened was just a freak accident."
Rafe's jaw tightened. “You aren't supposed to do any heavy lifting, and you know it."
Sarah let out an exasperated groan. “I don't call a few plates heavy lifting."
Rafe lifted an eyebrow. “Well I do.” He turned and carried the dishes into the dining room.
Sarah glared at his back. He could be so hardheaded. Sometimes she just wanted to kick him. She waited until Rafe was holed up in his study after dinner to go in search of Zeke. Rose was busy planing the next days shopping so it was the perfect time to do what she had to do.
Lisa's statement about the rumors of Rafe's financial problems nagged at her for days. Just how bad a shape were his finances in? And Rafe's plan to sell part of the ranch to Jim Barclay only added to her concern. If anyone knew the truth about Rafe's financial difficulties, it would be Zeke.
As she walked near the bunk house, she heard masculine laughter. She peeked in the window and saw that a lively card game was going on.
"You looking for someone special?"
Startled, Sarah spun toward the familiar voice. Tab Whittacker leaned against the side of the building, smoking a cigarette. He gave her a friendly smile. Sarah let out a relieved breath. “You startled me."
Tab took a draw off his cigarette and tilted his head as he glanced at her through the smoke. “It's a nice night. I thought I'd take a stroll."
"Me, too.” Sarah smiled and let out a sigh. Thank goodness it wasn't Rafe. She'd have a hard time explaining what she was doing here without tipping him off.
"How's the arm?” He gave a pointed glance at her left arm.
Sarah patted the white bandage that covered the gouge. “I'll live. I guess I was lucky. Things might have turned out differently if Rafe wasn't around."
"I'd say you were fortunate.” He pushed away from the wall and ground out his cigarette with the toe of his boot. “These hills can be dangerous for strangers."
Sarah shuddered at the words. She'd always felt comfortable in the wilderness, but Tab's statement filled her with foreboding. “I take it you're pretty familiar with them."
Tab shrugged and looked toward the big ranch house. “Didn't Rafe tell you?"
Sarah smiled, even though her thoughts were elsewhere. “Tell me what?"
"It figures,” he said sourly.
"What?"
"Never mind.” Tab hooked his thumbs in his pockets and leaned against the house. “I've been here longer than your husband. I was born and raised on the Double-H. My pappy worked for Rafe's daddy. For a while after Rafe's daddy passed on, I thought I might buy Rafe out. But things didn't work out."
Sarah glanced at his handsome weather-beaten features and relaxed when she saw his easy smile. “That's quite a family history. It must be nice to have such deep family ro
ots."
He inclined his head. “You might say that. Course things changed after Rafe took over from his pa."
Sarah wondered whether he meant for the better or worse. “Yes, I suppose they would. Things never stay the same no matter where you work. I'm sure Rafe is a good boss."
"Yeah, I suppose so. So like I was saying, are you looking for someone special?"
Sarah heard the screen door slap and saw Zeke walk out onto the porch. “Zeke's the one I wanted to talk to."
"Mrs. Halliday,” Tab said.
Sarah turned back toward Tab. “Yes?"
"There could be rough times ahead, what with your husband accused of a crime. You might want to consider clearing out."
Sarah gasped. He had no right to talk to her like that. She said firmly, “It's my and Rafe's private life and none of your business. Unless you know something I don't know."
Tabs lips thinned as he frowned. “It was just a friendly warning. You being a rich city girl, you just don't fit in here, especially when times are rough for the boss."
Sarah gave him a lingering glance as he walked away. Just what was behind his friendly warning, a dislike of her or was he just protecting his boss? She shrugged and walked over to Zeke who was sitting down on one of the porch rockers. “Good evening, Zeke. I wonder if we could talk?"
He patted the seat next to him. “Why don't you set a spell. Rafe told me you were all right. He get that right?"
Sarah leaned back and rocked in the chair. The breeze that lifted the wisps of hair off her neck was refreshing. “I'm fine. It was just a scratch."
"Still, I don't like it,” Zeke grumbled.
Sarah smiled and looked at his wizened face. “I'm not too happy about it myself. But there's something else on my mind tonight."
Zeke stopped rocking and glanced at her. “And just what might that be?"
Sarah looked around. The porch was deserted, only motes of dust danced in the twilight. She remembered Rose felt someone was snooping when they talked about Sarah's plans to track down the wolves’ death site. A person couldn't be too careful, because you never knew when someone might be listening. “I heard about Rafe having trouble securing a loan to open his dude ranch. He's considering selling off a parcel of the ranch for cash."